Dog's Best Friend

Genetics

The Altai Dog Tells a Tale

Mark Derr on March 8, 2013

The Altai dog shows the author has not been barking up the wrong tree. Photo by permission of Cameron Davidson.

The Altai dog shows the author has not been barking up the wrong tree. Photo by permission of Cameron Davidson.

Relationships

What Is the Dog to a Wolf?

Mark Derr on March 6, 2013

Jamie Dutcher shows that we have not always warred with wolves. Photo from The Hidden Life of Wolves by Jim and Jamie Dutcher, reprinted by permission of the authors.

Jamie Dutcher shows that we have not always warred with wolves. Photo from The Hidden Life of Wolves by Jim and Jamie Dutcher, reprinted by permission of the authors.

Fear

The Wolf War Goes Global, and the World Loses

Mark Derr on February 5, 2013

Wolves playing with a stick could be targets for a hunter in the new war against wolves that is once again threatening the survival of these close cousins of dogs and enduring symbol of the wild. This photo is from a remarkable new book, The Hidden Life of Wolves by Jim and Jamie Dutcher, by permission of the authors.

Wolves playing with a stick could be targets for a hunter in the new war against wolves that is once again threatening the survival of these close cousins of dogs and enduring symbol of the wild. This photo is from a remarkable new book, The Hidden Life of Wolves by Jim and Jamie Dutcher, by permission of the authors.

Genetics

Carbo-Loading Wolves Put Starch In the Dog

Mark Derr on January 27, 2013

Toodles the Jack Russell Terrier asks: Does she exist because her ancestors mutated to eat starchy food.

Toodles the Jack Russell Terrier asks: Does she exist because her ancestors mutated to eat starchy food.

Alcoholism

Praise for All-Purpose Dogs

Mark Derr on December 25, 2012

Laikas are the all-purpose dogs of the taiga--guards, hunters, and companions. Pavel, a west Siberian laika, has taken up residence in Canada with Dave Parsons, who supplied this photograph.

Laikas are the all-purpose dogs of the taiga--guards, hunters, and companions. Pavel, a west Siberian laika, has taken up residence in Canada with Dave Parsons, who supplied this photograph.

Bullying

Cesar Millan and the Tradition of Pack Bully as Pack Leader

Mark Derr on December 7, 2012

The question is if rewards are effective why punish the dog to make it perform?

The question is if rewards are effective why punish the dog to make it perform?

Gratitude

Remembering the Dead

Mark Derr on December 1, 2012

The Grateful Dead's musical journey lives in thousands of concert tapes that chronicle their and our "long strange trip."

The Grateful Dead's musical journey lives in thousands of concert tapes that chronicle their and our "long strange trip."

Fear

Can Dogs Teach Us Why Some People Kill Wolves?

Mark Derr on November 14, 2012

Viewed from this perspective, wolves do not belong in the company of people because people might harm them.

Viewed from this perspective, wolves do not belong in the company of people because people might harm them.

Career

Does the Dog Know What Its Nose Knows?

Mark Derr on November 4, 2012

Detection dogs are trained to find the source of the odor they are seeking. Photo by James R. Tourtellote for the Canine Enforcement Training Center.

Detection dogs are trained to find the source of the odor they are seeking. Photo by James R. Tourtellote for the Canine Enforcement Training Center.

Environment

Doing What Comes Naturally, Dogs Become Heroes

Mark Derr on October 20, 2012

Dr. Anton Lim and veterinary student, Heather Kennedy, examine Kabang at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at the University of California, Davis. (Photo by Gregory Urquiaga/ UC Davis)

Dr. Anton Lim and veterinary student, Heather Kennedy, examine Kabang at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital at the University of California, Davis. (Photo by Gregory Urquiaga/ UC Davis)

Play

Watching the Dog Walker Walk the Dog

Mark Derr on October 7, 2012

A screen shot from the Swifto dog walk app for smartphones that tracks dog walkers in real time

A screen shot from the Swifto dog walk app for smartphones that tracks dog walkers in real time

Wisdom

Lions and Tigers and Dogs

Mark Derr on September 24, 2012

In Nepal, tigers avoid conflicts with people by changing their hours, not their stripes. Government of Nepal photograph taken by a camera trap.

In Nepal, tigers avoid conflicts with people by changing their hours, not their stripes. Government of Nepal photograph taken by a camera trap.

Leadership

Who Are These Wolves?

Mark Derr on September 8, 2012

When wolf pups gnaw bones in Yellowstone National Park, are they helping to reshape an ecosystem?

When wolf pups gnaw bones in Yellowstone National Park, are they helping to reshape an ecosystem?

OCD

Why Do Some Dogs Chase Their Tails?

Mark Derr on August 24, 2012

Pie charts from a new paper in the Journal PLoS One on tail chasing in dogs show people's perceptions of their dogs' behavior before and after chasing their tails.

Pie charts from a new paper in the Journal PLoS One on tail chasing in dogs show people's perceptions of their dogs' behavior before and after chasing their tails.

Anger

Pit-Bull Ban Retained

Mark Derr on August 19, 2012

Toodles was declared ineligible to vote for repeal of the pit-bull ban.

Toodles was declared ineligible to vote for repeal of the pit-bull ban.

Anger

What is the Indian Pariah?

Mark Derr on August 9, 2012

An Indian street dog naps in the gutter.

An Indian street dog naps in the gutter.

Environment

Our Cat's Abduction and Return

Mark Derr on July 27, 2012

Our Jack Russell terrier thought she had lost her friend and playmate.

Our Jack Russell terrier thought she had lost her friend and playmate.

Career

Dogs Keep Cattle Safe

Mark Derr on July 20, 2012

The Navajo use randomly bred medium-sized dogs to guard their sheep and goats.

The Navajo use randomly bred medium-sized dogs to guard their sheep and goats.

Leadership

A New War Against Wolves

Mark Derr on July 8, 2012

Once hailed as a triumph for the Endangered Species Act, the return of gray wolves to the lower 48 states has begun to resemble a tragic farce featuring politicians, wildlife officials, hunters, outfitters, guides, and ranchers intent on reprising the campaign of extermination from a century ago.

Once hailed as a triumph for the Endangered Species Act, the return of gray wolves to the lower 48 states has begun to resemble a tragic farce featuring politicians, wildlife officials, hunters, outfitters, guides, and ranchers intent on reprising the campaign of extermination from a century ago.

Relationships

What's a Predator to Prey?

Mark Derr on June 25, 2012

There's no hunting for this meal. Brown bears and wolves share a humpback whale that washed ashore in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska. Photo: National Park Service

There's no hunting for this meal. Brown bears and wolves share a humpback whale that washed ashore in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska. Photo: National Park Service